Electric system



y 6, 1935- w. PLATHNER ET AL 3 9 ELECTRIC SYSTEM Filed July 30, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor":

Walter Plathner, Karl Kettnev",

by Mm His Attorney.

July 16, 1935. w. PLATHNER ET AL 2,068,515

ELECTRIC SYSTEM Filed July 30, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Walter Plathnery Karl Kettner,

H is Attorney Patented July 16, 1935 PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SYSTEM Walter Plathner, Berlin-Schoneweidc, and Karl Kettner, BerlimGermany, assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application July 30, 1931, Serial No. 554,144 In Germany August 15, 1930 Claims. 01. 175-363) Our invention relates to electric systems wherein power is transferred between alternating and direct current circuits by means of a space discharge device, such as a mercury arc rectifier connected to an alternating current circuit through a transformer, and has for its principal object the provision of improved methods and means for the elimination or reduction of disturbing harmonic voltages in the alternating current circuit due to harmonic components in the current passing through the space discharge device.

It is well known that the wave form of the current passing through a mercury arc rectifier supplied from an alternating current circuit characterized by a sine voltage wave differs from the sine form, the degree of departure from this form depending on the nature of the transformer connection employed. For example, if the transformer is arranged to supply a six-phase rectifier from a three-phase circuit, fifth'and sixth harmonies of relatively large amplitude are generated, and if arranged to supply a twelve-phase rectifier an eleventh harmonic of relatively large amplitude is likewise generated.

These higher harmonics when permitted to flow in the alternating current three-phase supply circuit, which includes generating apparatus and a connecting network, disadvantageously modify and distort the wave form of the supply circuit voltage and, further, cause losses in the generating apparatus and leads of the supply circuit.

In accordance with our invention these disadvantages are obviated by providing the energy for generating the higher harmonics of the current passing through the rectifier directly at the point where these harmonics are to be used and supplying them to the transformer which is located at this point. Blocking means are provided in the alternating current, supply circuit to prevent backflow of the harmonic currents into this supply circuit. The generating apparatus and leads of the alternating current network from which the current of fundamental frequency is supplied to the transformer are, therefore, not required to transmit the currents of harmonic frequency; and distortion of the wave form and losses in this supply circuit are avoided. The energy required for thus generating the higher harmonics by auxiliary apparatus is preferably derived from the three-phase supply circuit which supplies the fundamental.

Our invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in circuit [0 is arranged to be connected to a direct current circuit l I for the transfer of power therebetween through a space discharge device i2 connected to the alternating current circuit by means of a transformer l3 having, for example,

a three-phase primary l4 and a six-phase secondary l5. In the embodiment of the invention shown in'the figure the space discharge device [2 is a mercury arc rectifier arranged to rectify alternating current from a network including circuit i0 and alternating current generating apparatus (not shown) supplying to circuit ID a voltage having preferably a substantially sine Wave form.

In accordance with our invention, in order to provide the energy required for the production 5 of the harmonic currents, for example the fifth and sixth, present in the current passing through the rectifier l2 a synchronous motor 16 connected to the three-phase circuit i 0 is arranged to drive a plurality of synchronous generators l1, connected to the primary M of transformer l3 as by connection to a portion l8 of circuit In adjacent to transformer [3, a different one of the harmonic currents flowing through each of the generators i1 and primary H of transformer I3.

Each generator I! is provided with blocking means, as trap or rejector circuits i9, arranged to damp out undesired frequencies, particularly the fundamental frequency, supplied to the transformer by circuit Hi, to prevent the flow of current ofthis fundamental or other undesired frequency into the generators I! from the Circuit H). In order to prevent the harmonic currents fiowing in transformer i 3 and generators i! from flowing back into the system comprising alternating current supply circuit I0, and thereby causing the above described Wave distortion and losses therein, the circuit i0 is likewise provided with choke coils or other suitable means,

such for example as trap or rejector circuits 20, 56

arranged to block the currents of the harmonic frequencies or other frequencies flowing in generators i1 and transformer l3.

Excitation of the motor-generator system constituted by motor 16 and generators i1 is provided from a separate current source 2I or from the direct current output of rectifier I2.

The amplitude of the harmonics flowing in generators ill and transformer I3 is regulated, as for example by adjusting the excitation of the generators If by means of a variable resistor 22 in the rotor circuit thereof, and likewise the phase position of the harmonics is adjustedas by angular movement of the stators '23 by means of a regulator element such as handle 24. The amplitude and phase of the harmonics flowing in transformer i3 and generator I! are thereby regulated in a desired manner as required for given operational and load conditionsintherectifi-er system. It will be readily understood that, such regulation may be effected automatically in response to load or other conditions.

In Fig. 2, in place of the plurality of generators I? of Fig. l the generators through which'flow the higher harmonics are combined in one mae chine, generator 25. This single machine comprises for example a rotating armature winding 26 and as many stationary field windings 2 1, 28, 29, each having its suitable number of poles,as the harmonic currentsflowing in the transformer I3, the several harmonic currents flowing between from the armature 26 and the transformer I3 through slip rings'3e. As in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, the amplitude and phase of the harmonics are regulated respectively in accordance with operational and load conditions by means, for example, of variable resistors ti and of handles 32 in operative relation with the angularly movable fields 21, 28, 29. The. fundamental and other frequencies in circuit Ill are kept out of the circuits of the harmonic generating. apparatus by blocking means I9 and the harmonics and other undesired frequencies flowing in transformer I3 and the harmonic generating apparatus are kept out of the circuit it? by blocking means 20, in the same manner as in Fig. l. V a V In Fig. 3 the plurality of harmonic generators shown in Fig. 1 are united in a single generator 33 similar to the generator 25 of Fig. 2, and including a rotating armature '34 and a plurality of field windings'35; 35, 31. In the embodiment of V the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, however, one of the exciting field windings, in the present case winding 35, is arranged to generate currents of the fundamental frequency, i. e., of the fundamental supplied to transformer I3 by the alternating current circuit I 0. The other exciting field windings 36, 3? are so arranged that in each there 'fiows a different one of the barmonics'fiowing in the rectifier I2, in the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figsl and 2. The fields 36 and 31 in which the harmonics flow 'being'preliminarily disconnected or otherwise made inoperative, the fundamentalgenerated by field 35 of generator 33 is synchronized, by means above described such as handle 38 in operative relationwith the angularly movable field, with the fundamental supplied to the "transformer I3 by circuit I0.

After this synchronizing operation is completed, the harmonic-exciting fields 36,31 are reconnected, whereby harmonics of desired amplitude and phase flow in the transformer, the back flow of harmonic currents to circuit IIl being pre-, vented by'the trap or rejector circuits 20 connected inthe leads of circuit I0 and. responsive to the-harmonic frequencies: 'Since the fundamental is supplied to thetransformerfrom the harmonic generator 33 as well as from the circuit II], the fundamental frequency blocking means I9 of Figs. 1 and 2 between the harmonic generator and the circuit Ill are, rendered'unnecessary. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, therefore, the provision of the energy required for the generation of all of the harmonics fiowing in the transformer is effected in one machine as in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 and, further, the blocking means, represented for example by the trap or rejector circuit I9, required in the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2 to prevent the flow of current of the fundamental. frequency from circuit In into the circuits of the auxiliary generating apparatus are omitted from the system.

,Inthe embodiments of the invention herein illustrated, the pluraity of harmonics flowing in the rectifier I2 each flow in a different excitation circuit, for example, in the fields 23 of the separegulation, while the rectifier system is'in operation, to correspondto load or other conditions. It will be noted, however, thatif a rectifier system is desiredin which, after. starting of the system, further adjustment of the harmonic currents to correspond with change of load is dispensed with and a preliminary optimum arrangement of the harmonic generating system to provide for a desired load is sufficient, all of the harmonics may then flow in a single excitation circuit, for example by the provision of suitable poles and winding pitch.

The harmonic generators I1, 25 and 33 have been described herein as connected directly to the primary I4 of transformer I3. It will be readily understood, however, that if the voltage of the'three-phase circuit If! supplying the fundamental frequency is relatively high, it is preferable to connect the harmonic generating apparatus to the three-phase circuit through suitable transformers, the inductance of these coupling transformers being conveniently utilized in providing the blocking means comprising the trap or rejector circuits I9. 7 What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: r 1. In an electric system comprising an alternating current circuit,'a direct current circuit, a space discharge device for voltage conversion between said alternating and direct current circuits, and a polyp-hase transformer interposed betweensaid discharge device and said alternating current circuit, the current passing through said discharge device containing a plurality ofharmonic currents tending to distort the voltage. of said alternating current circuit, means to'prevent said distortion including an auxiliary current generator having an armature connected to said transformer and a plurality of field Windings, each of said field. windings being adapted to induce in said armature a different one of said harmonic currents. l 2. In an electric system comprising an alternating current'circuit, a direct current circuit, a space discharge device for v'oltagejc'onversion between said alternating and direct current circuits, and a polyphase transformer interposed between said discharge device and said alternating current circuit, the current passing through said discharge device containing a plurality of harmonic currents tending to distort the voltage of said alternating current circuit, means to prevent said distortion including an auxiliary generator having an armature connected to said transformer and a plurality of field windings, one of said field windings being adapted to induce in said armature a current of the fundamental frequency of said alternating current circuit, each of the others of said field windings being adapted to induce in said armature a different one of said harmonic currents, and means associated with said alternating current circuit and responsive to said harmonic currents to prevent the flow of said harmonic currents into said alternating current circuit.

3. In an electric system comprising an alternating current circuit characterized by a substantially sine wave voltage of fundamentaI frequency, a direct current circuit, a space discharge device for voltage conversion between said alternating and direct current circuits, and a polyphase transformer interposed between said discharge device and said alternating current circuit, the current passing through said discharge device containing a plurality of harmonics of said fundamental frequency tending to distort said sine wave voltage, said harmonics being produced by the action of said space discharge device, means to prevent said distortion including a plurality of synchronous generators connected to said transformer each adapted to produce a current of the same frequency as that of a different one of said harmonics and a synchronous motor connected to said generators and operated by current from said alternating current circuit at the fundamental frequency thereof, and means connected in said alternating current circuit responsive to said currents produced by said generators to block the flow of said harmonic currents into said alternating current circuit.

4. In an electric system comprising an alternating current circuit characterized by a substantially sine wave voltage of fundamental frequency, a direct current circuit, a space discharge device for voltage conversion between said alternating and direct current circuits, and a polyphase transformer interposed between said discharge device and said alternating current circuit, the current passing through said discharge device containing harmonics of said fundamental frequency tending to distort said sine wave voltage, said harmonics being produced by the action of said space discharge device, means to prevent said distortion including a plurality of synchronous generators connected to said transformer each adapted to produce a current of the same frequency as that of a difierent one of said harmonic currents and motor means associated with said alternating current circuit to operate said generators, means associated with each of said generators to adjust individually the amplitude and phase of each of said currents produced by said generators, and means connected in said alternating current circuit and responsive to said currents produced by said generators to block the flow of said currents produced by said generators into said alternating current circuit.

5. In an electric system comprising an alternating current circuit characterized by a substantially sine wave voltage of fundamental frequency, a direct current circuit, and a space discharge device for voltage conversion between said alternating and direct current circuits, the current passing through said discharge device containing harmonic currents tending to distort said sine wave voltage, said harmonic currents being produced by the action of said space discharge device, the method of preventing said distortion of said sine wave voltage which comprises generating currents of the same frequency respectively as that of said harmonic currents distinct from said alternating current circuit, transmitting said generated harmonic currents to said alternating current circuit, and preventing backflow of said independently generated harmonic currents into said alternating current circuit.

WALTER PLATHNER. KARL KETTNER. 

